Iftikhar Paras, Muhammad Moeen, Javed Iqbal, Yasir Khakwani, Muhammad Hamid Chaudhary.
Determinants of the risk factor for the post CABG median sternotomy wound keloid. a randomized control trial.
J Cardiovascular Dis Jan ;17(1):44-8.

BACKGROUND: Scar formation is a normal process of wound healing. A keloid is an abnormal scar which happens because of excessive fibrotic tissue accumulation in the scar. Sternal wounds closed with absorbable sutures and prone to infection are at higher risk of developing keloids posing an increased mortality and morbidity. AIMS & OBJECTIVE: To find and minimize the Risk of Keloid formation in Sternal scar, by using a simple technique with different sutures Material in our study population under going open Heart surgeries. MATERIAL & METHODS: This was an observational randomized study where 50 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomized into two groups, 25 patients in each, Group-A was closed with extensive use of diathermy and absorbable suture (vicryl) and group-B had minimal use of diathermy and non-absorbable suture were used for skin closure. Infection rate and formation of keloid or abnormal scaring were noted up-till 30 days after operation. RESULTS: The patients in group B had less frequency of infection and formation of keloid as compared to group A patients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of non-absorbable sutures like prolene, for closing the sternal skin tissue can provide better protection against the risk of superficial infection and thus prevent post-operative hypertrophic scaring and keloid formation.

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